Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the consumption and cost of ephedrine in parturients with respect to two packagings: ampoules and prefilled syringes.
Study design: Prospective observational study in a French university obstetrical unit.
Patients and methods: Assessing the consumption and cost of ephedrine during two consecutive periods of 14 days: use of ampoules for period 1 (P1) versus use of prefilled syringes for period 2 (P2). Consumption was daily evaluated. The costs (ampoules and consumable supplies for P1 and prefilled syringes for P2) were calculated on the basis of the price list given by our institutional pharmacy. The number of parturients and the anaesthetic techniques which were performed were prospectively recorded.
Results: One hundred and thirteen parturients were managed for the present study. The number of parturients and the anaesthetic care were similar between the two periods. In contrast, 155 ampoules were used for P1 versus 45 prefilled syringes for P2 (p<0.0001). The cost per parturient was 3.1 euro for P1 versus 2.6 euro for P2, i.e. 0.5 euro was saved for each parturient.
Conclusion: The results of the present study show that the use of prefilled syringes reduces significantly the wastage of ephedrine, allowing subsequent cost minimization in obstetrical anaesthesia.